Most of us want to preserve San Francisco but disagree on how to do that. Many of us feel the changes are coming too fast too soon and we need a time out. Nothing City Hall has done so far has protected residents, artists and small businesses in San Francisco. Already the state has passed a plan to incentivize developers to build more dense housing, using the transportation corridors as their excuse.

Now City Hall wants to offer even greater incentives through a new plan called the Affordable Bonus Housing Project. (described below), They are attempting to go further than the state requirements, which they have been meeting by setting up special use districts, like 5M. Most of us are familiar with these. This plan does nothing for anyone accept the developers while it expands dense housing across the entire city.

Many questions remain to be answered about this “affordable housing”. The Supervisors passed one piece of legislation related to the plan that requires at least 40% of the affordable housing produced be made available to displaced residents within their districts. How much will these units cost and will they be under rent control? What happens to the other displaced residents? Who will qualify for the other 60% of affordable? What does affordable mean and affordable to whom? How will this program effects neighborhoods and neighbors? A concerned citizen created this presentation to express his concerns over probably impacts on older predominately low-rise neighborhoods: AHBP Outcomes

We do not feel that this is a humane or sustainable approach to solving the problem, but will exacerbate it, throwing more of people out of their homes. IF YOU AGREE SIGN OUR PETITION:WE NEED ANOTHER PLAN

People are setting up meetings in their neighborhood to discus how the plan will effect them and determine what to do. The Planning Commission has paused this to give themselves and the public time to study the proposals.

Some Amendments may be made during the public comments phase. Please watch for notices of these and check with this link for updates on the CSFN website as the Neighborhood groups attempt to keep up with changes and alterations to the plan as they come up: http://www.csfn.net/

The State Bonus Density Law has resulted in such disturbing concepts as: 400-square-foot-two-bedroom units. For on-site servants, large pets or robots? We have heard about the bunk beds some are renting out.

THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT SOLUTION: The plan is simple. Landowners who elect to build affordable units on their properties will be allowed to build higher and denser housing on their lots. As they add more affordable units their height and density may go up.

Do you want your neighbor building a taller denser building next door in violation of current planning rules, taking advantage of this program, blocking out sunlight, intruding upon your privacy and encroaching on your back yard, bringing more cars and traffic to your neighborhood? If this goes through you will lose control of your neighborhood and streets.
These projects may by-pass the Planning Commissioner hearings and your only option may be to appeal or sue.

THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BONUS PROGRAM IS PLANNED FOR THE ENTIRE CITY: Areas included in the Affordable Housing Bonus Program would expand to neighborhoods that have been untouched by the rush to build up until now. The plan is to remove all restrictions from limitations on developers as fast as possible. The maps show intrusions into every neighborhood, from the Ocean to the Bay.

The Affordable Housing Bonus Program (AHP) would allow developers to build two stories taller than they’re allowed in designated residential districts in exchange for adding additional affordable units. The “bonuses” could include reductions in rear yard open space, air and light exposure, heights, parking, e.g. A 100% affordable housing project could get a bonus of 3 stories higher than current zoning. For a real good picture of the projects, and how they would effect your neighborhood, see the David Baker Residential Density Bonus Study.

FAST-TRACKING: We are alarmed by plans to fast-track this through the legislature without proper public comment or approval of the neighborhoods effected by these major changes in City Zoning Codes. http://www.sf-planning.org/AHBP

LACK OF PUBLIC INPUT: The Affordable Housing Bonus Program (AHP) was designed by the City Planning Department in conjunction with some affordable housing advocates over the last 18+ months, but most neighborhood groups and residents were left out of the process.

LACK OF NOTICE: No notice was given about the Mayor’s Affordable Housing Bonus Program to citizens who are signed up to get such notice; and no property owners have been mailed any notices regarding this new plan.

1) This legislation is very complex and should not be fast-tracked.
2) Public outreach has been inadequate and more time is needed for review and comment.
3) The impact of this program on transit must be carefully considered, especially
increasing housing density before increasing transit capacity.
4) Protections must be strengthened to prevent demolition of existing mid-block
6-unit buildings and any RH1/RH2 lot merging with variances for the construction of new 6 to 8-story buildings on blocks with smaller 2 to 3-story homes.